strings of life

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The most ridiculous and hilarious thing just happened to me a mere scant few hours ago. After CO practice, Doris and I stayed back in school to get some homework done and to obtain the notes I had missed for yesterday's lectures cos I wasn't feeling well and went to the doctor. So we were 'merrily' doing our homework, the hour grew late, the sky darkened... until we realised that we were the only ones left in school. There wasn't another soul around save for the security guard. It started to feel a little creepy and we were like "All right, let's go home." But Doris wanted to use the washroom first, so we went to the toilet at the atrium.

We were washing our hands when Doris suddenly said "Do you know about the images of a parallel mirror..." I KNEW what it was, and it was absolutely the wrong thing to say late at night, when the atmosphere felt so creepy. So I said "Stop!! Don't say it!" and flung out an arm to stop her. Startled by my sudden movement, she screamed. Startled by her scream, I screamed too!! Then we ran out of the toilet and out of school, laughing at our silliness all the way.

Then as usual, we walked from the school bus stop down to the other bus stop beside the gas station. Walking along the streets, the school fence with all its protruding leaves suddenly seemed kind of scary. They look like claws reaching out to grab an unsuspecting victim. So I huddled closer to Doris. Then she began talking about banana trees and not stepping on trees' shadows and what-not. It was really quiet and dark and my heart began beating faster. I began to stare at the shadows on the ground intently. And suddenly, in the stillness and quietness of the night... SCREECH!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Doris and I nearly jumped out of our skins and screamed bloody murder. It turned out to be a bicycle with a really loud, screechy brake. But it came so suddenly and from behind us too. We screamed so loudly our screams echoed off the HDB blocks. I think the guy on the bicycle got startled too and then he apologized. LOL!! I think he somehow surmised that he just scared the living daylights out of us.

My gosh. That was the most ridiculous thing that's ever happened to me this year. Scaring ourselves silly and screaming like that. My goodness. After we recovered from our shock, we proceeded to laugh ourselves insane. We literally roared with laughter, guffawing so madly, Doris nearly ended up on the ground, shaking with laughter. And I was bent and doubled over in uncontrollable mirth. My cheeks hurt, my stomach hurt. Oh gosh. That was some insanity and adrenaline rush.

Boy, it was actually kind of fun, come to think of it. Hahaha.

LeVaire :: 9:50 PM

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication...

Indeed, Alessandro Safina's rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Music of the Night" totally, completely and utterly swept me off my feet. Sure, certain parts of it may not be superbly perfect, but his high notes, boy, my heart nearly ceased beating. He's an Italian tenor by the way. Powerful, magnificent voice. I'm ensnared.

Today I went to Esplanade with Marcus. We spent over an hour in the library pouring over scores and scores and more scores. I found Jules Massanet's Meditation from Thais. At long last! Haha, but it's not easy to play ): I kept playing the first 11 bars over and over again. After a one week hiatus, my tone has deteriorated beyond belief. Yuck.

What a musical day. I spent my day blasting music while doing homework, singing along to the lyrics. Humming too, in the case of instrumental songs. Haha. I met Marcus at Tanah Merah at nearly 5pm. And we talked about music all the way, all the different musicians, composers, their style and what-not. Halfway during the train ride to City Hall, Paganini's Caprice No. 24 came on on Symphony 92.4 FM. Yeah, I was listening to the radio on my cellphone cos my mp3 died on me. I never cease to be amazed everytime I listen to that piece of music. Both composer and player are disgustingly awesome. It is such a versatile piece, changing swiftly from bowing to pizzicato, from single notes to chords and what-not. There's even left-hand pizzicato!

On the way home, we talked more about music. I studied the new scores I'd just gotten while Marcus whipped out his manuscript book and began scribbling random pieces of his own compositions on it. Awesome really. I don't think I could ever compose anything on the spot just like that. Haha.

The funny thing about us musicians I realise is that our fingers or hand never seem to stop moving. While walking along CityLink Mall, Marc was moving his right hand very slightly in a bowing manner to some silent piece playing in his head. And my own fingers were moving in accordance to the fingerings of random pieces floating around in my mind.

Ah, music. My life shall be incomplete without it. A void, unable to be filled by anything else. Oh dear, it's nearly 1am. The hour grows late. Or rather, I should say, early. I shall be off to bed now. Good night everyone. Pleasant dreams (:

LeVaire :: 12:34 AM

Monday, February 19, 2007

Chinese New Year Extravaganza

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR to all!! :D I'd just returned home from the most extravagant Chinese New Year I've ever had so far in 17 years and a few months of my life. Two days before chu yi (first day of CNY), I had a family dinner at a Japanese restaurant along East Coast road. We got the VIP room ^^. The room was really cosy and cool and we had to take our shoes off. Dinner was fabulous, I could barely walk back to the car after that. I was SO full!

On the morning of chu yi, I woke up at 7.15am to go bai nian (visiting). After going to 5 houses, we left for Swissotel, The Stamford. My dad booked two rooms and we're gonna spend the night there! Then for lunch, I had french crepe with peking duck and prawns inside. Super nice! Ate till bursting point too. Dinner was sliced beef on a hot plate. Then we took a walk around River Hongbao to digest our food. It was SO crowded!

(Lovely view from the hotel room balcony. I look kinda spastic... =/ Yuck..)

I slept in late the next morning and woke up in time for lunch =X which I had in Mos Burger with my sister. After which we slacked around before going for high tea in the hotel. Had hot chocolate with sandwiches, tarts and puffs. And then... I bought TWO books!! Oh joy!! I was SO grateful that MPH remained open during this festive occasion XD Then I met up with my clique from MJ - Doris, Pris and Sabby.

We then proceeded to have dinner at... New York New York!! I'd always wanted to eat there! And it's my first time dining at a restaurant with friends!!

Group picture!! We chose a nice little cosy alcove for our seats!

Candy Floss!!! =D

Sabby studying the menu most intently.

Here's our food!! And that's my London Fish 'n Chips there!

More candy floss!!

Fireworks!! Beautiful aren't they?

More fireworks!!

Acting spastic and ridiculous in such a romantic place! Esplanade Waterfront. Lolx!

Say "Cheese!" =D
And this marks the end of our insane, fun-filled wacky CNY celebration for today!! Tomorrow I gotta get up for another round of visiting, THE WHOLE FRIGGIN' DAY until night time, where I'd be having seafood dinner at East Coast with my dad's company.

My homework. Oh the horror, I haven't done a single bit of homework. Empty parchments! I mean foolscap paper. But all empty nonetheless!! I am so screwed :(

LeVaire :: 11:34 PM

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Death by Good Music

I hereby proclaim that I am on the verge of death by music.

Sheer good, wonderful, mind-blasting, fabulous, awesome music!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Oh my GOSH! I fell SO totally in LOVE with Patrick Fiori's voice!! Omg, his HIGH notes!! So smooth, so tender, so NICE!! And usually guys can't do high notes very well, but omg, his high notes totally swept me off my feet!! And Talz, get this, he's a FRENCH singer!! *dies!!*

French language is THE sexy! Afterall, why else did I sign up for that French langauge course at 1.35 friggin' am in the morning. French is such a sensual, sexy and awesome language. *smiles dreamily*

Moving on from the singing aspect of music to the playing aspect.

CO held 3 performances yesterday for Chinese New Year. One at MJC, two at the Cerebal Palsy centre. We performed twice there for both morning and afternoon sessions. In between performances, I was well, trying to complete my Evolution & Diversity mindmap but I soon gave up on it. Haha, and then I ran off to try my hands at a cello. And I found out that a cello's fingering is about TWICE as wide as that of a violin. BUT. I managed to play the first few bars of Canon on Jian Rong's cello!! Omg, achievement!! But my fingers and arm promptly died after that. Pain ):

After all that performing, I dashed off to meet Marcus and Tallie at Tampines Mall. I already looking forward to the next Chamberesque practice. And if we're really gonna perform for July's concert... Gosh, I'm worried!! I need violin lessons! And for the past few days, I've been itching to go to Esplanade Library to get more scores =x I think I'd need a score cupboard very soon. We had an entertaining time during lunch listening to the interesting tales of school life in VJ, MJ and TP.

After lunch, Talz had to go home. So Marc and I went home too, to practice our violins. I played a little like a madman yesterday. Well, madwoman. Hahaha. I practiced nearly non-stop for slightly more than an hour. My neck nearly cramped. =.= But yeah, stupid sucky tone. And stupid tuning pegs. Hahaha.

And I shall be off to practice again now! Au revoir! (Good bye) A bientôt! (See you) =D

LeVaire :: 6:29 PM

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Soft candlelight, romantic strains of the violin playing, red roses, a box of delicious chocolates and a bottle of sweet wine. Oh my Gosh, 'tis the epitome of class, elegance and enjoyment!!

All right, quit day-dreaming. But today was a great day!! Never has Valentine's Day been such a big hoo-hah. Flowers, balloons, chocolates, candies, bears, gifts and little notes EVERYWHERE! The school was bursting with them. Great atmosphere, I got so high I couldn't stop laughing and blubbering nonsensical, well, nonsense.

So I began this great day by lugging a whole bag full of chocolates and notes to school! And lo and behold! I left my cellphone at home. Of all the days!! But anyway, I got to school, and everyone started going all nuts, giving out chocolates, candies and notes and going all "Happy Valentine's Day!!"

I got 9 roses!! NINE!! *dies of happiness* Oh my Gosh. And one fake rose. You know those kind from Toys 'R Us? The really cute furry toy one! Hahaha. And on top of that, I got a helium-filled heart shaped balloon!! I feel so overwhelmed. I feel SO LOVED!! And I got so many chocolates and candies that it nearly filled my entire paper bag to the brim! I'm so friggin' HAPPY!! Well, it is afterall, Val's Day. HAHAHA. Okay, I couldn't resist that pun.

Thank you SO MUCH everyone!! Tallie, Kenneth, Cuzzen, Hengky, Wei Qiang, Zhi Qian, Jenny, thank you for all the roses!! Hengky, thanks for the balloon and chocolates too! Hahaha. My clique, thanks for all the chocolates and candies and notes!! Doris, thanks for the huge slab of Cadbury chocolate! XD To my juniors and fellow CO mates, thanks for all the chocolates and candies! To my fellow classmates from 06S305, thank you for all the lovely goodies which now fills my bag. Lol. Hmm, have I missed out anyone else? If I did, my apologies and thank you!! :D

This is no doubt one of the best, if not the best, Valentine's Day I've ever had thus far. I love you all my dear friends!! :D And Happy Valentine's Day to all out there!!

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAREN!! *lucky boy, born on Valentine's Day*

*And now I gotta spend my Valentine's night dating my Biology SPA notes :( grumbles..*

LeVaire :: 7:53 PM

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Chamberesque

Finally, the day I've long awaited for - Chamberesque Practice!! Man, I feel so deprived of music practice with my good friends! Haha.

And oh my Heavens! Marcus improved like siao!! Marc, you sick boy! Ahhhhhh, he's catching up!! I feel propelled to take up lessons again. I think I really should. I'm worried. And if I have to audition to enter Uni orchestras. Oh man! I really need the lessons. Hahaha.

And this is me. I think I look kind of odd. =/

Here's another one! Heh.

Tallie and I!

Marcus choking me!! *cough cough gasp!* Ahaha. Fooling around with our violins.

Me holding Kenneth at gun- I mean- bow-point. Hahaha.

And there's me grinning widely. Tallie looking all prim and proper. And Marcus looking sooo serious and sombre. Hahaha.

Marcus and I playing Gabriel's Oboe. Don't we look pro? HAHAHA! *Ego ego*

And check this out!! Kenneth attempting the famous Paganini pose with my violin! LOL!

Marcus and I with our bows crossed in front of Kenneth, who's fooling around with Tallie's crutches. Poor girl sprained her ankle.

And here's the four of us! Group shot! And that's Tallie's mum behind us. LOL! :D

Gosh! Today was SO much fun! I can't wait for the next practice! July's concert is drawing near! And we haven't even gotten our repertoire set! Ahhhhh!

Oh, and after practice, I rushed down to Chinatown to meet my mum and sis to buy my New Year clothes. Haha, I bought a pink qipao and two chinese blouses. Chinatown is SO crowded, my goodness. But the atmosphere there is really great! :D

LeVaire :: 11:04 PM

Saturday, February 03, 2007

06S305 Outing

Today we had our College Road Race in Pasir Ris Park. It was the usual thing. But we played "I Never"!! It was hilarious and a shocking revelation in some cases! Who'd have known that Sabby had NEVER eaten Laksa before?! My gosh. And most of my friends thought I was a guai kia (crudely translated: good kid).

After the Road Race, we had a class outing!! Organized by... yours truly!! (: *clap clap clap* All right, that was some serious case of self-praise. Hahaha! Of course we'd all returned home to shower, change and all first. About half the class turned up, 12 people and we went to Cineleisure in Orchard.

I played Pool for the very first time in my life!! And ONE ball WENT IN!! Achievement! Yayness. Oh man, I'm like on sugar-high now. And I've discovered that pool is VERY FUN! After playing pool, we went to watched "Pan's Labyrinth", my second NC-16 movie thus far. Its genre is fantasy/horror. But it turned out to be extremely gory!! I couldn't take all that gore. I shut my eyes, I shut my ears, my jacket was over my head and I'd already sunk down low into the plush cushion of my seat. Just imagine: a horrible, evil, Voldemort-lookalike monster with no eyes and pale webbed skin grabbing a tiny fairy in its hand. Then it put the fairy's head into its mouth, chew down on it, and then pull the fairy's body away, detaching the head. Blood spilled over, dripped down its chin and all the while the poor fairy was kicking, squirming and screaming.

I am bloody traumatised.

As I walked out of the movie theatre, my heart was still thumping wildly in my chest.

And this is 06S305 (well, half of it) waiting for the lift to arrive at Cineleisure (:

Riding the escalator up!

Strolling along the streets of Orchard Road!

Us walking out from the MRT Station to Cineleisure!

Ta-dah~! Us again!

Man, I am hyper already! And you know what? I've got an uber NICE Angel!! I received an email from him/her! The email account was created just for this purpose man! I am SO touched!! Oh my Gosh. After reading the email, I couldn't stop grinning la. So happy you know! Hengky thought I'd gone mad. Hahaha!

All right, tomorrow's Sunday ): Homework chionging day. I'd better get some rest soon. It's midnight now. Good night everyone! Au revoir! (:

LeVaire :: 11:14 PM

Thursday, February 01, 2007

I am, to my utter dismay, still plagued with those nasty little buggering viruses. The only difference being that they seemed to have uh, called in their allies. I've got an awful runny nose now. It feels like it's about to fall off with all that sneezing and blowing I've been doing. *sniffs* And now I have to regretfully lay off my good friends, Ben & Jerry's, till my recovery.

I was just reading Odd Thomas, and me, being me, simply couldn't resist reading the ending again. For the third time. And even so, I still cried. I don't know how Dean Koontz does it, but the ending made me feel as though as a knife was plunged into my heart and twisted about. It was certainly one of the most impactful endings I have ever read thus far. Astounding. Utterly astounding.

The second non-romance fiction novel I picked up recently was "The Lost Stradivarius". The title says it all. I simply couldn't resist pulling it off the shelf. It was a slim, thin paperback, wedged between two thick novels. A novel I might not have picked up had it not been for the word "Stradivarius". Hahaha. Marc, you might want to read it.

Oh yes, my class is playing the game "Angel & Mortal". A most intriguing and rather heartwarming game. To those who are unfamiliar with this game, I shall explain. The names of every person in the class is written down onto little slips of paper and tossed into a bag. Then everyone will proceed to draw out a name. The person whose name you draw out will be your Mortal, and you will be his Angel. Angels will then give little encouraging messages/letters or small little gifts to your Mortals, but at the same time keep their identity concealed. Mortals do not know who their Angels are. Only at the end of the game, will the Angels' identities be revealed to their Mortals. Interesting? Heh.

It's only been two days since the commencement of this game and I'm already burning with curiosity about the identity of my Angel. I've already received two gifts from him/her thus far and they were really sweet. Haha. I've tried, to no avail, to decipher his/her identify from the handwriting. But I suppose I shall just have to patiently wait until the revelation, or else it'll take the whole fun out of the game :)

LeVaire :: 7:02 PM